Cable Tv Competition Grows In Plantation

PLANTATION -- Yet another cable television company is seeking a citywide franchise here.

Telesat Cablevision Inc., of Pompano Beach, is trying to be the third cable company awarded a city franchise.

Telesat general manager Harry Cushing said his company will offer cable services at less cost to customers than other companies now operating in the city.

And allowing a third company to compete for cable customers in the city could serve to restrain rate increases by other companies doing business in Plantation, Cushing told City Council members at a Wednesday night meeting.

American Cable Company and Planned Cable have citywide franchises.

Though several council members have expressed reservations at awarding a third franchise, they have agreed to consider Telesat`s request. Cushing has been directed to draw up a franchise proposal detailing the commitments Telesat is willing to make in exchange for a franchise.

Cushing told the council members that Telesat has signed an agreement with the developer of Harbor Town to provide cable service to the new residential development, near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and University Drive.

The company does not need a city franchise to provide that service because the cable system will be built entirely on private property. Telesat would need a franchise agreement to cross city right of ways and to expand its system to other areas of Plantation.

Cushing said Telesat was formed three years ago and the company serves 24,000 homes in southeastern Florida. The company, a subsidiary of FPL Group, parent company of Florida Power and Light Co., also operates in Tampa and Orlando, Cushing said.